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FTO Gene and physical inactivity – Recipe for Obesity?

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FTO geneRecent studies into the FTO gene have revealed variants of this gene may be linked to higher body mass index and obesity. The research suggests the FTO gene is active in the area of the brain which regulates food intake, the hypothalamus, and is involved in either regulating metabolism or DNA repair. However variants of the gene cause these processes to break down and may result in changes nutrient intake and energy expenditure.

According to the study one in six people of European decent carry two copies of the variant and compared to people with no copies of the gene had a 70% risk of obesity and could be an average of 3kg heavier.

However a more recent study has suggested that the effects of the variants can be counteracted with physical exercise. The research concluded that a person with both variants of the gene would have to burn an extra 900 kilocalories a day to offset the possible weight gain. The average heighted Irish male at 5 foot 9.8 inches, is considered obese at 15 stone (30.3 BMI). Therefore to burn 900 kilocalories is approximately equivalent of walking from the Guinness Brewery to the O2 Arena 3 times, 11.3km or playing a 90 minute game of football every day….

The study also showed that people that had variants of the gene and an average physically active life showed no sign of the effects.

-niamh

Written by Brian Christensen

Brian graduated from TCD with a degree in Medicinal Chemistry in 2005, and has worked in science recruitment since. He currently specialises in Pharma, Biotech and Connected Health

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6 Responses to “FTO Gene and physical inactivity – Recipe for Obesity?”

  1. derekpm says:
    July 13, 2009 at 8:58 am

    Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback

    Reply
  2. Joan Earth says:
    July 16, 2009 at 10:54 am

    I’m never sure about this kind of research, I would argue nine times out of ten that the effects causing obesity can be ‘counteracted with physical exercise’.

    Reply
  3. bodydetoxdiet says:
    August 4, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    lots of americans and europeans are getting obese these days because of over-eating. people should be controlling what they eat or they should workout their body to burn fat.

    Reply
  4. Caramoan8 says:
    December 27, 2009 at 2:42 am

    The only way you can manage obesity is throught Proper Diet and lots of exercise. The human body is designed for work so we should always get some form of physical exercise to stay fit.
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    Reply
  5. Gelly Anderson says:
    April 7, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    Obesity and diabetes are becoming more and more of a problem these days. Actually it is easy to avoid being overweight by just having the proper diet and exercise.

    Reply
  6. Chloe Davies says:
    April 28, 2010 at 7:20 pm

    more people are becoming obese these days because of too much junk food and too much sugar in snacks and fast foods. ~

    Reply


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